‘Twas the night before Christmas when my spouse and I spent a very special evening in the Burrough’s big house.

The Lions were lit up by the front door with care in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.

I didn’t dare think about going early to bed because visions of gumbo danced in my head.

Toni promised the gumbo would be ready in a snap, as I sat down on the sofa to take a quick nap.

When out of the kitchen there arose such a clatter, I sprang from the sofa to see what was the matter.

Away to the kitchen I flew like a bird, not knowing what to expect and afraid to utter a word.

The light from the ceiling all bright and aglow gave form to two shadows moving mysteriously below, when, what to my wondering eyes should appear, but Gene with his eggnog and George with his beer.

Armed with seasonings and syringes, Gene was lively and quick.

He was teaching George to fry turkey with his hands messy and slick.

More rapid than eagles, his instructions they came, as he whistled and shouted and called them by name.

Now melt a pound of butter and mix with Cajun spice. Then add some more butter to make it real nice. Don’t need cayenne pepper or any other spice.

This turkey will be perfect if you follow my advice.

Now inject the leg, the wing and the thigh, so it’s plump and juicy when you’re ready to fry. Baste the outside of the turkey and use peanut oil too.

Fry it 3 minutes per pound and then you’re through.

As Toni listened and carefully watched George and Gene, I could hardly wait to observe the next scene.

“Clean up your mess”, with her finger she shook.

“My kitchen must be clean before I can cook”.

“I’ll be up all night cooking Christmas dinner.

There’s bread to bake and my yams are a winner. I’ll bake hot egg potato salad and macaroni and cheese.

But before I begin, will you indulge me please”?

She was dressed in her gold shirt and Christmas socks of bright green, as she giggled and strolled toward the television screen. “Let’s watch the Temptations movie” we shouted with glee.

“Oh no”, she replied. “This is better; you’ll see”.

Her eyes-how they twinkled! “Her smile, how merry! Her cheeks were like roses, her expression like a fairy!

The sounds of Sade suddenly filled the air. “Let’s dance to the music; don’t just stand there!”

The fireplace roared and the moon shined bright while our husbands held us close as we danced into the night.

The nights just begun; there’s more fun to come”.

Toni said so excitedly as I sipped coke and rum.

We looked at a video of fun times in the past true friendships do last.

We laughed at the stories of many people in our lives and thanked God for blessing us with our husbands and wives.

After the clock struck midnight, we opened gifts under the Christmas tree while warm feelings and closeness filled hearts of friends and family.

We were happily smiling, but Toni most of all, because of her joyous spirit and giving nature had made Christmas eve such a ball!

Then Toni sprang to her feet and ran, with St. Nick’s twinkle in her eye; she began her Christmas day’s plan.


But I heard her exclaim, as she went out of sight “Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night”!!!

Our own Editor In Chief Jackie White wrote this on December 28, 2001 right after she and her husband George spent Christmas Eve with me and my husband Gene.
Thank you Jackie for writing this poem about our holiday together, it is better than pictures and we still keep your poem close to our hearts as we do with the both of you.

Love always your friend “Twin”.